‘Suspicious’ death reported at abandoned Bellingham motel

Police are investigating as suspicious the death of a woman found Saturday night in a shuttered Samish Way motel, officials said.

The 32-year-old woman was found dead at the former Macs Motel, 1215 Samish Way, said Dr. Gary Goldfogel, the Whatcom County medical examiner.

Goldfogel called it a “suspicious” death.

“Autopsy was (Monday) and results are pending further law enforcement investigation, toxicology and additional lab studies,” he said.

Bellingham Police Lt. Danette Beckley said the woman’s body was found about 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Beckley said she couldn’t comment on an active investigation.

Macs Motel closed in early 2016 because it wasn’t truly operating as a motel – it rented rooms to long-term residents and didn’t have a current state Department of Health license.

A June 2015 application for renewal was denied after an inspection showed several violations.

This story was originally published January 9, 2018 at 4:00 AM with the headline "‘Suspicious’ death reported at abandoned Bellingham motel."